Former Senator and senatorial candidate Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan secured the blessing of Dagupan-Lingayen Archbishop Socrates Villegas, one of the highest-ranking and most influential officials of the Catholic Church in the country.


Before starting the second day of his Luzon Caravan on Friday, Pangilinan met with Archbishop Villegas at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Dagupan City, receiving much-needed blessing and spiritual advice three days before the midterm elections.


The former Senator was also anointed by Most Reverend Fidelis B. Layug, D.D., Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan.


“Sa aking tingin, nagawa na nating lahat ang dapat gawin. Kaya pinapasa-Diyos na lang natin ang lahat. It’s all up to God now at hawak na ng taumbayan ang desisyon,” Pangilinan said.


“Ako’y tumatakbo para sa mga kababayan natin na naniniwala na may pag-asa pa ang Pilipinas. Nais nating patunayan na maaaring manalo ang lumalabas nang patas, at maaaring manalo ang hindi magnanakaw, sa tulong ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.


The former senator expressed confidence in Pangasinan, a province that has consistently supported him in his past three senatorial runs, to deliver the needed votes in the May 12 elections.


“I hope na iyong tiwala na binigay niyo noon, muli pagkakatiwalaan niyo ako. In my three terms na hinalal niyo ako, hindi ako nagtaksil, wala kayong maririnig anumang kasong anomalya na ako’y na-involve in 18 years,” he said.


Pangilinan is scheduled to barnstorm key areas in Pangasinan, Tarlac, and Pampanga as the campaign enters the homestretch.